Carol Jean Ecker, 82, born April 7, 1938 in Ravenscroft, TN, a longtime resident of Crescent City, FL and member of Beulah Baptist Church before she passed away Saturday, July 11, at 4:00 am at North Florida Regional Medical Center, after a long history of “serious heart problems” that she was able to always survive (up until now, anyways). While there is not a way to sum up her life in a few words, the following will hopefully shed light on how those who knew her best will continue to think of her.
Carol will be most remembered as a loving and devoted wife, sister, mother, and Nanna, that didn’t have time to say things twice. She raised 10 children and was a second mother to numerous others who were lucky enough to wander in or be brought into her home. It’s left to us to finally figure out which of us were her favorites, as she often had to go through the entire roster of kids’ names just to get yours correct. More than likely her favorite was among her 9 fur babies, of which Oscar is her final companion. Carol referred to her bunch as a very quirky, colorful young ‘uns, that she was extremely proud of, nonetheless.
Her illustrious work career included time as a waitress, hardware store manager, school bus driver, owning a catering business, and being a real estate broker. This means she could sell you the house, the tools to fix it up with, drive your children to school, whip up a meal for your family, and serve it directly to your dining table. She could often be found in the kitchen doing what she enjoyed best, which was to love others with her home cooking. Her fried chicken, chicken & dumplings, and pink lady were often the highlight of holidays, church dinners, weddings, and any other large family gathering. These will be missed, as she never cooked from recipes, so we are now left to try our best to recreate these on our own.
As a lasting memory, Carol left behind her a 4 bedroom home, 3 storage units, and a carport filled to the brim with stuff for her “Dammit” James and children to sort through, even though they have no idea what to do with most of it. In her defense, she often stated that it was her children’s own fault, as they were the ones to give her all the stuff in the first place.
Carol was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Geneva Whitehouse and Andrew Davis, her brother William Davis, her sisters LeAnn Davis, Francis Pangle, Joanie McDaniel, and Gail Davis. Along with her adorable daughters, Debra Kay Lash and Kathy Sue Bradley, her sometimes aggravating sons, Douglas James Ecker and Billy A. Pine, and her perfectly precious grandchildren Christopher Harless, John Thomas, and Nikki Shriver.
Carol is survived by her husband of 50 years, James Wesley Ecker of Crescent City, Florida, her sister, Judy Moore of Lake Tahoe, CA and 6 children: Terry Pine (Connie) of Winamac, IN, Julia Hamilton (Dan) of Plymouth, IN, Barbara Squires (Ron) of Ormond Beach, FL, Jeff Ecker (Karla) of Palatka, FL, Rebecca Ecker Bosnak of Murfreesboro, TN, and Marianne (Andy) LaRou of Addison, MI, along with 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Due to the recent situations, services will be held at a date yet to be determined. Let it also be said that it is suspected that her passing was more than a coincidence that will allow her to avoid having to make a decision in the upcoming presidential election.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Carol’s memory be directed to the American Heart Association. If you also opt to take a moment to honor her in song, the family recommends Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”, which she sang to her children, and they will continue to echo back to her for their remaining days.
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Would like to thank Nicole and Sarah for there help guiding us through the process.
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